The State Department of Commerce has a new director. Mike Fong. You may know the name. Most recently, Fong was regional administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration, an appointment from President Biden. He has twenty-plus years’ experience in public sector leadership roles locally, regionally, and nationally. He was senior deputy mayor for the City of Seattle from 2017 to 2021. Mike Fong is a ‘policy guy’ accustomed to developing strategies and managing complex issues.
He says those positions prepared him to lead the Commerce Department. “I want to build on the good work we do and tackle disparities that have only been exacerbated by the pandemic. He says the government learned how to better work with underserved communities during that time and he wants to keep that ‘muscle memory’ moving forward. “We need to build on those relationships and recognize the value of collaborating with the community in a new way and make sure our programs meet the vision of those we are trying to serve.”
The Department of Commerce will administer the 200-million-dollar Community Reinvestment Program which will tackle disparities and repercussions of racism and the 160-million-dollar State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI). Both programs will provide funding for Black and Brown businesses. They are in early stages and details are not yet available. Stay tuned for more on that.
Fong is looking forward to working with many
organizations, including Tabor 100, and is committed
to ensuring that the “muscle memory”
continues and is expanded to assist
underserved communities be successful.
Mike Fong was born and raised in Spokane. He majored in Political Science at the UW, and he lives in Seattle with his partner, Laura, and a rescued chihuahua / pug dog named Ladybird. He collects political memorabilia and likes gardening. He also likes professional sports—especially basketball, which he used to coach.
Mike Fong says, “Don’t be a stranger.” Contact him at [email protected]
Fong says the Commerce Department is a good resource with plenty of nuts-and-bolts information and there is a Seattle office.
Contact Assistant Commerce Director Chris Green, who heads up the Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness. 206-256-6100.
